New abilities could make this arena shooter the next big thing

Splitgate 2 Marks the return of the refreshing Gate-based arena shooterNow with added classes that add useful abilities to the already tight and fast-paced gameplay. Developer 1047 Games created the original title by combining the multiplayer it loved in games like Hello Featuring the brilliant traversal mechanics of Valve’s revolutionary puzzle-shooter Gate. Now, its upgraded sequel takes cues from some of today’s best shooters to add more satisfying variations to its game mechanics.

when Splitgate First launched in 2019, it was released at a time when there was a wide selection of free-to-play shooters all vying for players’ attention, many of which have since shut down. however, Splitgate Thrived by providing fast and exciting matches with tight controls which allowed players to maneuver and shoot enemies through portals strategically. After gaining a substantial player base and funding from investors, 1047 Games decided to stop upgrading the original game and focus on the sequel. And judging by Splitgate 2s closed alpha, it was the right choice.

Three factions add spice to Splitgate 2’s recipe for fun

Like the first game, Splitgate 2 will be free to play

After about a dozen short matches – possibly too short, with some lasting less than four minutes – with both Team Deathmatch and Capture The Point modes, it’s clear that 1047 Games has done more than add two to this title. Splitgate 2 Still features the frantic gate-hopping gameplay that drew multiplayer shooter fans looking for something different, but it has added three distinct classes that each have their own customizable abilities.

Unlike the influx of monotonous hero shooters that often require players to learn how to control a dozen different characters to be effective teammates, Splitgate 2 Introduces three factions: the agile Aeros, the time-manipulating and healing Meridian, and the shield-wielding Sabrask. Although each is capable of using guns and portals, the separate factions add another appealing layer to these Splitgate formula without making the sequel feel too complicated compared to its first installment. The unique abilities available to each faction have short cooldowns but provide great advantages to teams that use them effectively.

During Splitgate 2Alpha’s closed, the Meridian was a personal favorite. His loadouts included a deployable time bubble that sped teammates inside while slowing enemies who dared to cross his threshold. Clever enemies can use it to instantly slow down opponents, setting them up for easy shots. However, the Meridian could swap out the time-manipulating device for a pulsating healing grenade, a potential life-saving addition to the game’s intense 4v4 firefights. Meridian’s unique ability scans the arena and pinpoints the location of enemies for their entire team, and the Aero and Sabrask factions are no less capable.

The Aero class felt the most familiar to players who played the first gameBut his ability to recover with a healing stim and activate a surge of adrenaline to increase defense and mobility gives the class more options to get back into the fight. Then there’s the heavy-armor-wearing Sabrusk, who favors sticky grenades, gate-destroying smoke grenades, and a useful deployable shield that teammates can shoot through, but it doesn’t block enemy gates, which can make for an easy way to surprise enemies.

Splitgate’s weapons have received a much-needed upgrade

Gun accessories provide more layers of gameplay customization without feeling overwhelming

Besides the three playable factions and their abilities, several other improvements were made Splitgate 2Alpha’s feel like it’s already on a good track. Each class features its own versions of guns that shooter players would expectSuch as shotguns, assault rifles, shotguns, pistols, and more. However, loadouts have the option to become more varied with accessories that are easy to add, such as red dot sights, extended barrels and grips that can enhance gunplay to almost any player’s desire.

Additional perks can be added to loadouts for more flexibility to player builds, but it is recommended that these options are sifted through before matches begin because the games Splitgate 2s closed alpha has little to no time to adjust customizations between rounds. While loadouts can be changed and swapped during a battle, players are locked with the faction they choose until the round ends. Team Deathmatch often included quick rounds lasting just a few minutes that tasked teams of four players to achieve fifteen kills, and whoever won three out of five rounds was crowned the winning team.

The added abilities and expanded arsenal of weapons give more options for shooter fun, however Splitgate‘s bread and butter of rewarding gate-hopping gameplay mechanics remain in the sequel. However, instead of controlling the in and out gate placements with two separate buttons, Splitgate 2s improved mechanics intelligently guess what type of gate players want to useRemoving the need to think about what they need to put in the heat of battle. This worked flawlessly during the closed alpha matches, but veteran players can easily switch back to the default gate placement controls in the options.

A sequel that already feels like the next great arena shooter

Splitgate 2 is now set to be released in 2025

A specific release date for Splitgate 2‘s free-to-play, gate-hopping, guns-blazing multiplayer mayhem has yet to be announced. The first game was extremely generous with the number of playable opportunities for people to try it before its official release, but if Splitgate 2 Is only going to improve from where it currently stands, the game seems primed to surpass the first entry in many ways.

Splitgate 2 Will be releasing in 2025 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.